LEADERSHIP TEAM

Mike Kelley, owner of Aqualani has more than 45 years of experience with luxury resort hotels, beach and pool service management, concierge and ocean recreation operations. He started on Maui in 1977 with the launch of Beach Activities of Maui. In 2017, Aqualani was formed and has now become the largest pool and ocean recreation services company in Hawaii with over 18 resort locations and a diversified staff of over 240.

As he built the company into the organization it is today, Kelley also helped design the pool and beach facilities for nine major resort hotels throughout Hawaii. Working through pre-construction to opening he coordinated layout of facilities, service deliveries, area concepts, staffing and budget guidelines. In addition to resort pool, beach and concierge services Kelley has started other successful operations including The Spa at Black Rock, Teralani Catamarans and Ka’anapali Surf Club.

Kelley served for four years on the International Board of Directors for Young President's Organization and chaired the global events committee for three of those years. He is also a past Maui County Small Business Person of the Year as designated and honored by the United States Small Business Association, twice selected as a finalist for Ernst and Hawaii Young Entrepreneur of the Year and was recognized for Retailer of the Year award from the Hawaii Retail Merchants Association.

Mike and his wife Olinda have 2 daughters, two Cavapoo dogs and a Somali cat.

Alexis oversees all financial operations within Kelley Group of Companies and its various entities, including: Aqualani, Teralani Sailing Adventures, Kaanapali Surf Club and Spa at Black Rock.

With over 15 years of experience in Finance and Accounting, Alexis began her career in public accounting with Moss Adams LLP and made the move into the private sector as part of management teams for both private and public companies.

Born and raised on Maui, Alexis returned to the island in 2015, and joined Kelley Family of Companies as Controller. In the 6 years since, she has proved to be an integral part of the company’s growth. Alexis attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Alexis enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Monica manages Aqualani’s Resort Concierge Services, bringing her years of experience as she leads her team with a focus on hospitality and elevating guest experience.

With over 27 years in the hospitality industry, Monica received her B.A. in Communications from Hawaii Pacific University and started her career while still in school, working Front Desk/Guest Services at various hotels in Waikiki. After graduation, she transitioned to concierge services and quickly moved up into management as the concierge department Manager at Kahala Mandarin Oriental with Aqualani Concierge. After 11 years with Aqualani at the Mandarin Oriental Monica relocated to Maui and became the companies Director of Concierge Services based at Sheraton Maui where she manages multiple operations on the islands of Maui and Kauai. The newest endeavor for Monica and Aqualani has been the creation and management of All Island Concierge which provides training, operational guidance and strategic delivery of concierge services through using existing resort personnel.

She has a passionate love for the islands and the people of Hawaii and engages business with a deep sense and understanding of “Aloha”. She loves the outdoors and animals of all shapes and sizes, her favorite being her 13yr old “puppy” Nani and the three cats that adopted her. Monica is very family oriented and has been happily married to her husband Rede for 20 years.

Patrick Alexander was born and raised in Hawaii graduating from Kamehameha Schools. He is the Great (3X) grandson of William Patterson Alexander, and his great-great Uncle Samuel Alexander was the founder of Alexander and Baldwin, one of Hawaii’s major corporations that still exist to this day. He left the islands to pursue his MBA and graduated with honors from Louisiana State University. Patrick worked for a short time in corporate America, but soon followed his family's entrepreneurial spirit and opened his own tour company on Catalina Island in California. However, he felt a strong pull from across the Pacific and returned home in 2017.

Patrick was the Front Office Manager at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas and the Director of Operations at Trilogy Excursions. He loves to spend time with his family at the beach or gardening in the yard with his son Kamakaniola.

With over 20 years in the boating and marine industry Blake brings a tremendous degree of background and knowledge to his role leading all of Teralani Catamaran operations. For 17 years he held numerous positions with Pacific Whale Foundation. Starting as deck hand and later purser Blake worked through all aspects of the organization to eventually become Chief Operating Officer. He was instrumental in guiding the companies’ seven vessels and growth into multiple new markets. Having worked at an early stage of his life as a commercial diver and then gaining his captains license Blake is familiar with all aspects in, on and under the water.

Originally from Tennessee Blake graduated from Middle Tennessee State and still has family there. He’s married to his wife Kim who’s from Switzerland. They have two children Emmi and Luke.

As Regional Director, Brett is responsible for overseeing all guest services at three Waikiki, Oahu beachfront locations and the company’s new Kauai location.

Prior to moving to Hawaii in 2013 Brett was in the music and radio promotions business in Santa Monica, California. He also was Executive Vice President at Hitmakers Magazine and Hot Sheet Publishing. His formal education is in communications and audio engineering and he studied at Pierce College and UCLA. In his spare time, Brett enjoys spending time with his wife Nancy and their daughters Lyla and Ava.

Justin is a seasoned professional with 20 years of executive management experience overseeing sales, operations and merchandising for some of the nation's largest retail chains. He embodies the essence of being a forward thinker, dedicated to achieving the highest level of guest satisfaction by heightening the family-friendly customer experience. His approachable and collaborative leadership style promotes a supportive environment that enhances the local ohana and builds strong relationships with his team members and customers alike. His passion for excellence and commitment to his community make him a valuable member of the Aqualani family.

Born and raised in Colorado, Justin and his wife Tammie moved to Hawaii in 2011 to embark on new life adventures and career advancement. They are firm believers in the power of positivity and continue to follow their personal motto of "Dream, Believe, Achieve". Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with his wonderful circle of family and friends. He and his wife live an active lifestyle with their two rescue pups, Loki and Kenzie, while following his passion of capturing the beauty of Hawaii through photography.

Ian was born and raised in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. He grew up in the beautiful coastal town of Kailua and has spent most of his life in and around the ocean. He attended Kamehameha Schools where he had a busy schedule as a student-athlete competing year-round in both volleyball and basketball. Ian followed his passion for volleyball which led him to Santa Barbara for college where he studied business and music. After college, he moved to the small city of Avalon located on Catalina Island where he first started in the water sports industry providing kayak and snorkeling tours to the island’s visitors.

In 2013 he embarked on an entrepreneurial journey alongside his twin brother Patrick and the two brothers founded multiple businesses in the tour and activity industry. Their first business was an online travel agency that provided concierge services and real-time booking systems for local businesses. In 2015 they received a national award from USA Today for their walking tour, Ghost Tours of Catalina, and shortly after founded Catalina Bikes, the largest electric bike rental company on Catalina Island. Ian returned home to Hawaii in 2021 bringing with him over 10 years of business management experience.

He has recently joined the Aqualani family as their Director of Watersports and looks forward to utilizing his knowledge to have a positive impact on the company.

Jeff has over 15 years experience with resort recreation beach and pool management. After a decade in a similar recreation position with Four Seasons Wailea Jeff joined Aqualani as Manager for operations at the 760 room Westin Maui Resort and Spa. Following a complete property reimagination including new pool areas and pool area facilities.

Jeff was promoted to Resort Recreation Service Director at Aqualani’s Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villa location. Jeff leads a team of 10-12 associates each day delivering incredible service and aloha. As Senior Recreation Director Jeff collaborates with the Aqualani General Manager as needed for input and oversight for 4 resorts on the North side of Ka’anapali Beach.

Jeff is married to Rochelle and has a 17 year old daughter, Ashlyn who is an in-line hockey star.

Originally from Tacoma, Washington Phil moved to Maui in 2012 and was hired as Recreation Services Director at Aqualani’s very busy Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas location. Two years later Phil was promoted to a similar position at the company’s flagship location, Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa. At Sheraton Phil has overseen the expansion of Aqualani’s operations to include an entire new Alii Deck for VIP cabana services, implementation of online reservations systems and complete renovations for all poolside facilities.

In his newly appointed expanded position as Senior Recreation Director,SBR (South of Black Rock) Phil collaborates with the Aqualani General Manager and Ka’anapali Surf Club’s Director for input and recommendations at 4 resorts located on the North side of Ka’anapali Beach.

Phil has a daughter on the mainland, Gabbi 13 and a 4 year old daughter here on Maui with his wife Alexis.

Haley has been in the beauty business since she was 14, starting out as a receptionist and has worked her way up to management. Prior to The Spa at Black Rock she managed a local Hair Salon and Day Spa for almost 9 years, along with other Salons and Spas throughout her career. She has a passion to connect and build not just a great team but an Ohana within her work environment.

Born and raised in Vail, Colorado, Haley moved to Maui with her then, 5 month old daughter Avery in 2012. She had been visiting Maui since she was young and had always dreamed about living on the Island. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, camping, spending time at the beach with friends and family.

As corporate collaboration specialist Jon assists all of the Kelley Family of Companies with creative alignment and continuity. A principle of J&J consulting Jon and his team deliver on strategic planning for areas including operations, financial outlook and budgets, process coordination, multiple year strategic goals, coaching, counseling and team building.

With also an incredible skill set in the food and beverage / hospitality industry (Marriott International Director of Food and Beverage, VP International Ruby Tuesday Restaurants, Director of Operations The Mina Group) Jon has contributed significantly to the catering and food and beverage repositioning for all Teralani Catamaran operations.

He lives on Maui with his wife Joanne. They’re both complete foodies who love finding new and exciting new dining options and beautiful wines.